A Night Prayer in Konkani
Growing up as a young boy in Goa, it was customary to recite the Rosary every night before supper in our family. Reciting the Holy Rosary in Konkani had a fixed time. Sometimes on Sundays when we missed reciting, my father would often jokingly say that it's the Lord's day of rest - and that He needs some rest from hearing prayers! The Rosary was usually recited at 8 pm when all family members gathered in the living room. Rather amusing interruptions by grandma in the middle of the rosary prayers with her quips like: "has the back door been latched?" or "has the chicken coop been closed?" often helped us to remain alert at least for a little while or put a smile on our sleepy young faces.
Quip 1: (Konkani: Aago, pattlea dharak khilli gathlai mungo?)
English translatlion"has the back door been latched?"
Quip 2: (Konkani: Aago, kunkdank danklean mungo?)
"has the chicken coop been closed?)
(In the Konkani language the word 'Aago' is used in addressing a female and 'Aare' for a male)
Grandma kept a strict count of the beads of the Rosary, and had an immediate response if any 'Hail Mary' was missed with one single comment in an affirmative tone: 'One more remaining!'.
Leading into the third decade of the Rosary would be a difficult task for us to remain awake. It was expected of everyone to recite the prayers slowly and distinctly. Staying up for the entire Rosary at times was a great achievement for me. Trying to keep awake after an entire busy day at school and play was difficult. At most times it was my mother who led the prayers and recited the Mysteries and each family member or two together recited a decade, but as soon as my mother and father announced the prayer, 'Deu Bori Rath', I would then instantly be fully awake and happy it was about to get over.
Invariably, somehow, the hooting by an owl nearby was a common occurrence at this time, and often rebuked with curt comment like 'go away you silly little bird' by my grandma as the Rosary was going on. After the completion of the Rosary all the kids lined up for receiving blessings from Mum and Dad, and Grandma.
In retrospect I am astonished about my ability in dozing off whilst kneeling during the prayers. It's a wonder how adept my siblings and myself were in maintaining our balance as we knelt, and at times how good our reflexes were in putting our arms forward in the nick of time thus preventing a hit to the ground!
This timeless and beautiful prayer is always said and usually led by the oldest person in the family or in village congregation at the end of a recited Rosary in homes or a sung Litany in the village chapels. In homes it was then time for all young children to line up joining their hands to receive blessings from the elders. And everyone seemed happy. Of course! It was suppertime!
It is one of my favourite prayers of all time. The prayer has a deep meaning - a reflection and thanks for what has transpired in the day that one has been through, and asking the good Lord for a good and peaceful night.
It is hard for me to do justice in my humble attempt with an English translation of this beautiful prayer. However, I'll try:
Lord give us all
a good night;
good health to the living,
heaven to the dead;
This day we've fulfilled with grace
The night is upon us, lest we die,
Have mercy on us;
Lift your merciful hand
And bless us Lord.
(Art by Tony Fernandes)
